Special Educational Needs (SEND)

What is the SEND Local Offer?

Every local authority must publish a Local Offer. The SEND Local Offer tells you what support is available for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities, and their families. It should include information about education, health and care provision. It should also tell you about training, employment and independent living for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

You can find the SEND Local Offer for Kent County Council (KCC) at www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs

Who is it for?

The SEND Local Offer is for:

children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities from birth to 25

their parents and carers

practitioners and professionals.

What is the idea?

The SEND Local Offer should:

make it easier to find out what you need to know

give you information about what is available

tell you where you can get further information.

The SEND Local Offer should also make services more responsive to local needs.

The SEND Code of Practice* says that the Local Offer should:

provide clear, comprehensive, accessible and up-to-date information about the available provision and how to access it

make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving disabled children and those with SEN and their parents, and disabled young people and those with SEN, and service providers in its development and review (4.2)

What does it include?

The Local Offer includes information on:

how children and young peoples’ needs are identified

how their needs are assessed

the special educational, health and social care provision for children and young people with SEN or disabilities

opportunities for training and employment

support for independent living

how provision is funded

leisure activities and support groups

where you can find more information, advice and support

arrangements for travel

the help available to resolve disagreements.

The Local Offer must also tell you about services provided outside your area which local people are likely to use.